Guinea-Bissau Has Not Approved Reported Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial for Newborns

Guinea-Bissau authorities say a reported hepatitis B vaccine trial involving newborns has not been approved and is not currently proceeding. The country’s Health Minister, Kuinhin Nantote, said at a press conference last week that the government had not authorized the research.

“Scientific research initiatives involving human subjects, especially children, must strictly comply with applicable national laws, international ethical principles and appropriate evaluation and approval mechanisms,” Professor Nantote said, according to Reuters.

Health minister rejects reports that the trial would proceed

After media reports claimed that the trial would go ahead, Nantote told The Guardian: “This is not true in the slightest.”

Police seize hepatitis B vaccine during investigation

Guinea-Bissau authorities now appear to be investigating the activities of Arby and Stavel Ben. Police reportedly searched the facilities of the Bandim Health Project in Bissau, according to a Monday Facebook post from the country’s judicial police.

According to the statement, which was translated from Portuguese, the operation resulted in the seizure of a batch of hepatitis B vaccine intended to immunize children in Guinea-Bissau.

Police said the search was conducted “to clarify the circumstances relating to the group of vaccines in question.” The statement also emphasized that the seizure was part of an investigation and, by itself, does not establish fraud involving the vaccine’s quality, safety or effectiveness.